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Board of Regents' DL

Board of Regents' Policy

Section 5.10

Distance Learning

(October 18, 2002)

Section 5.10 Distance Learning(Note: This section replaces former policy on Outreach Instruction as last amended on March 5, 1981. Cross reference: Administrative Rule 20-5 for tuition and fees for outreach non-credit programs and offerings.)

Distance learning refers to educational programs and activities designed to serve clientele other than regular on-campus students and/or deliver such coursed and programs in ways and/or at times and locations suited to the needs and convenience of those to be served. Distance learning includes telecommunications-assisted and/or off-site instruction. Distance learning may involve credit courses at the graduate, post-baccalaureate, and undergraduate levels, and/or non-credit, professional, and community service courses.

The primary purpose of distance learning is to extend the University's rich array of quality instructional resources to students anywhere in the state who are committed to higher education but are constrained by diverse factors which prevent their participation as regular on-campus students at the UH campus offering their program of choice. The University of Hawai`i is committed to a vigorous distance learning and instructional effort to equalize, as far as possible, higher educational opportunity in all parts of the state. As such, distance learning is an integral part of the mission and a primary responsibility of every campus in the UH system.

Distance learning also has the potential to support the entrepreneurial goals of the University as well as to support the University's mission beyond state boundaries. Distance learning outside the state will strengthen the University's Asian/Pacific focus and support the University's position as the premier institution of higher education in the Pacific Basin. As important as efforts are to extend distance learning beyond the state boundaries are to the vitality of the University, they will not take precedence over the primary commitment of distance learning to provide increased access to post-secondary education to the residents of the State of Hawai`i.

A fundamental requirement for distance learning is that the quality and standards of such courses and programs be comparable to other instructional programs of the University. Distance learning regular credit courses and programs result in learning outcomes appropriate to the degree or certificate to be granted and are of equal rigor and breadth as those required of oncampus programs. Mechanisms for the planning, delivery, and evaluation of distance learning programs should assure the maintenance of standards and quality. It is the responsibility of faculty to establish or approve standards that apply to all instructional programs of their campus, and to apply those standards to on and off-campus programs in the process of program review.

The University's on-going goal is to offer distance learning credit instruction in Hawai`i at a cost to the student similar to charges for regular on-campus instruction. Applicable nonresident tuition applies for courses delivered outside the state unless superseded or supplemented by special credit course or other fees approved by the President.

Non-credit instruction, professional workshops, and similar instructional services should not be subsidized by fees generated by credit instruction, but rather, at a minimum, should be fully self-supporting be fees and tuition charged, plus any requested general fund support appropriated, allocated, and budgeted to support specific non-credit offerings. Similarly, at a minimum, cost recovery is expected of courses and programs delivered to students outside the State of Hawai`i.

The University administration is responsible for developing, updating as needed, and promulgating detailed policy and procedures to articulate and implement the philosophy and provisions of this Board of Regents' policy on distance learning. (ad: June 19, 1998; am: Oct. 18, 2002)